What Crew Members Say About Queen-Of-Surrey

On April 19, 2026, the 'Queen of Surrey', a vital ferry linking Departure Bay in Nanaimo with Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, faced an unexpected delay due to a police incident onboard. The vessel remained stationed outside the dock as authorities addressed a situation involving an individual in distress. The West Vancouver police received the call at approximately 11:56 a.m., leading them to swiftly engage the Vancouver Police Department’s Emergency Response Team, Marine Unit, and the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 1, alongside BC Emergency Health Services. As officers worked diligently to manage the unfolding situation, the terminal was temporarily shut down, resulting in the postponement of multiple ferry sailings. Notably, the 1:20 p.m. departure from Departure Bay was among those affected, with delays cascading into later departures including the 4:00 p.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay. BC Ferries promptly advised travelers to consider alternate routes, specifically the Duke Point to Tsawwassen service, where feasible. By 6 p.m., the West Vancouver Police Department confirmed the resolution of the incident, facilitating the reopening of the area to the public.

The 'Queen of Surrey', which had been out of service for a scheduled retrofit due to steering problems, re-entered service on April 5, 2026, only to experience a mechanical failure shortly thereafter. Just 40 minutes into its relaunch, crews discovered a malfunction in the steering panel, prompting the vessel to be pulled from service once again. This unfortunate incident led to the cancellation of four morning crossings between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale, along with the 12:10 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. sailings. In an effort to restore service, a replacement ferry was deployed, starting with the 2:25 p.m. journey from Horseshoe Bay. However, this also resulted in the cancellation of a return trip to Vancouver Island, as well as two return sailings between Tsawwassen and Duke Point scheduled for April 6. Passengers who faced canceled sailings received timely updates from the customer service center regarding alternate travel options or the possibility of canceling their bookings. Those who opted for cancellation were assured that their fees and fares would be fully refunded. To assist affected foot passengers during this disruption, four 12-person water taxis and one 38-person water taxi were offered complimentary service until full operations resumed. As part of the repair process, both the propulsion and steering control systems on the 'Queen of Surrey' were being addressed, given that multiple issues were identified within the steering system. While there were service disruptions since April 5, regular service on the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route has since been restored.

The ferry 'Queen of Surrey', which operates the Langdale-Horseshoe Bay route, was temporarily withdrawn from service on September 20 due to a significant malfunction in its main engine's turbocharger. This mechanical failure led to a series of cancellations over the weekend, resulting in long lines of frustrated travelers at BC Ferries terminals. In an attempt to reach their destinations, some passengers turned to water taxis, while others sought alternative travel options. Engineering teams worked diligently through the night to address the issue and restore the vessel’s functionality. Following successful repairs, some of the previously cancelled sailings were reinstated. Transport Canada granted approval for the ferry's resumption of service on September 21, enabling a timely 1:15 p.m. departure from Langdale, situated in the Sunshine Coast region. The return of the 'Queen of Surrey' also facilitated the resumption of normal operations for the 'Queen of Oak Bay' and 'Queen of Alberni', allowing previously cancelled sailings from Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay to proceed as scheduled.

The 'Queen of Surrey,' a key ferry on the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale route, will be unavailable for passenger service until January 28, 2025, as it undergoes essential repairs. This decision was made after the vessel was withdrawn from the route on January 1 due to significant propulsion issues. In the interim, the 'Queen of Coquitlam' will take over operations on the Langdale-Horseshoe Bay route, ensuring that travel continues for commuters and visitors. Currently, the 'Queen of Surrey' is docked in Langdale, awaiting the necessary maintenance to resume its service.

On December 17, BC Ferries announced the cancellation of two sailings for the 'Queen of Surrey' vessel due to a mechanical issue involving its pitch control system. Passengers were affected by the cancellations of the 1:05 p.m. sailing from Langdale and the 2:10 p.m. departure from Horseshoe Bay. Fortunately, operations were anticipated to resume with the 3:15 p.m. departure from Langdale, alongside the 4:20 p.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay.

On November 1, 2024, the 'Queen of Surrey' ferry faced a significant mechanical setback due to a propeller issue, resulting in the cancellation of at least three scheduled morning sailings. The disrupted services included the 7:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. departures from Horseshoe Bay, alongside the 8:40 a.m. sailing from Langdale. In an effort to mitigate the inconvenience to travelers, BC Ferries has dispatched an engineering team to resolve the problem swiftly. Additionally, to assist stranded passengers, the ferry operator coordinated three water taxis, each capable of accommodating up to 12 passengers, starting with the 6:20 a.m. departure from Langdale. This proactive approach aims to ensure that disrupted travel plans are adjusted as smoothly as possible.